FAQs for apprentices and trainees
How do I complete my apprenticeship or traineeship?
How can I get a copy of my completion certificate?
My employer won't let me do my training. What should I do?
My employer won't sign my training record?
Can I transfer to another employer?
How do I cancel my apprenticeship or traineeship?
If my apprenticeship or traineeship is cancelled, can I complete with another employer?
If I recommence my apprenticeship or traineeship with another employer, will I receive credits?
What happens if I move interstate during my apprenticeship or traineeship?
What is an extract of service?
How do I complete my apprenticeship or traineeship?
Your apprenticeship or traineeship is complete once you, your employer and your training organisation agree that all the requirements of your training plan have been fulfilled.
As the majority of apprenticeships and traineeships operate using competency-based training, the time required to achieve skills and knowledge is flexible. This allows you to finish your apprenticeship or traineeship when you achieve competency in the areas outlined in the training plan.
If it is likely that you will complete your training before the completion date, there is no need to apply to the Department of Education and Training to reduce the term of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
The certificate of completion is issued by the Queensland Department of Education and Training and is additional to the qualification or statement of attainment that may be issued by your training organisation.
To learn more, see the information sheet on the completion process.
How can I get a copy of my completion certificate?
If you have misplaced your completion certificate (also known as trade certificate or indenture papers) and you completed your apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland, you can obtain a replacement copy by telephoning Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210. A charge will apply.
My employer won't let me do my training. What should I do?
First, you should try to speak with your employer. Remind them that the training you are required to receive is detailed in your training plan. You should also discuss the matter with your training organisation (supervising registered training organisation).
If the matter cannot be resolved, you should contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210 for assistance.
If the issue is still unresolved, telephone the Training Ombudsman on 1300 306 699 or by email at ombudsman@trainingombudsman.qld.gov.au.
My employer won't sign my training record?
Your training record is important as it records your progress and achievement of competencies as agreed to in the training plan in your apprenticeship or traineeship.
You should present your training record to your employer and training organisation at regular intervals, at least once every three months. It is a good opportunity to meet your employer regularly to discuss your progress, receive feedback, and review the training plan to ensure your training is progressing satisfactory. Encourage your employer to provide you with feedback and/or additional training so you can demonstrate the required skills (competencies).
A penalty can be applied if you fail to keep and produce your training record as required. You should regularly ask your employer to go through your training record. If your requests to update your training record are not met, you can discuss the matter with your training organisation.
If the matter cannot be resolved telephone Apprenticeships Info for advice and assistance on 1800 210 210 or by email at apprenticeshipsinfo@qld.gov.au.
Can I transfer to another employer?
You may move from one employer to another if you, your current employer and your new employer agree. First, you will need to cancel the training contract you have with your current employer.
To cancel a training contract, you and your employer must agree to the cancellation in writing (if you are under 18 years of age your parent or guardian must also agree).
Once cancelled, you will need to sign another training contract with the new employer. You will need to complete another period of probation and develop a training plan with your new employer and training organisation.
How do I cancel my apprenticeship or traineeship?
The training contract you have entered into with your employer is legally binding.
Cancellation of a training contract should only be considered as a last resort once all efforts have been made to resolve the issues that threaten the apprenticeship or traineeship. Officers from the Department of Education and Training are available to help work through any issues you and your employer may have.
To cancel a training contract, you must apply in writing to the closest Training Queensland regional office of the Department of Education and Training. The department will review your application and advise you and your apprentice if the application for cancellation is approved. If approved, you should also inform your training organisation that the apprenticeship or traineeship has been cancelled.
To learn more, see the information sheets on cancellation of training contracts (where all parties agree ) and cancellation of training contracts (application from one party)
If my apprenticeship or traineeship is cancelled, can I complete with another employer?
If the Department of Education and Training has approved the cancellation, you may recommence your apprenticeship or traineeship with another employer. You and your new employer will be required to sign a new training contract through an Australian Apprenticeships Centre. You will need to complete another probationary period with your new employer. Read the information sheet on probationary periods to learn more.
Your training record is yours to keep and may be used to show employers the training you have completed. It is important that your training record is up-to-date as the purpose is to record your progress and achievement of competencies in your apprenticeship or traineeship.
If your new training contract is for the same apprenticeship or traineeship, you may be granted credit for previous service or experience. Read the information sheet on previous service or experience to learn more.
If I recommence my apprenticeship or traineeship with another employer, will I receive credits?
Credit for previous service in Queensland as a registered apprentice or trainee will be granted where the apprenticeship or traineeship calling nominated in the new training contract is aligned with the calling for which the apprentice or trainee was previously registered. Any 'time' credit allowed is applied to the nominal term of the apprenticeship or traineeship. Time credits may reduce the nominal duration of the apprenticeship or traineeship. The Department of Education and Training will determine the appropriate amount of 'time' credit.
Previous experience or service may also allow you to receive credit transfer and/or recognition of prior learning for the competencies achieved.
What happens if I move interstate during my apprenticeship or traineeship?
If you move to another state during your apprenticeship or traineeship but are still employed by a business in Queensland, you can just continue on with your apprenticeship or traineeship. However, you will need to advise Apprenticeships Info of your new home address.
If your move to another state also sees you move to an employer whose place of business is in that state, you will need to cancel your training contract, enter into a new training contract and have that contract registered by the state's training authority.
You may also need to change training organisations, so make sure you receive a statement of attainment from your current training organisation outlining all of the modules you have completed to date.
For more information, contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
What is an extract of service?
An extract of service is an official document issued by state training authorities (in Queensland this is the Department of Education and Training). The document confirms the trade calling or traineeship occupation and the period/s served under the training contract/s.
Apprentices or trainees can request an extract of service once a training contract is cancelled however, if you intend on recommencing your apprenticeship or traineeship in another state you may be required to provide appropriate documentation to the interstate training authority. A charge may apply.
For more information, contact Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.